Marble Falls track and field athletes represent with pride
CAPTION: Marble Falls sophomore Madison Cuplin (right) stands on the medal podium at the Class 4A state meet wearing her bronze medal for the long jump. Photo by Derek Gonzalez
The 2025 track and field season ended in glorious fashion for the Marble Falls High School program.
Three athletes made their way to Mike Myers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus May 1 to compete in four events and one returned with a state medal.
She is sophomore Madison Cuplin, who had a long jump of 18 feet and 6 inches to claim the bronze medal in her first attempt.
The others are seniors Kylie Roberts, who was eighth in the discus with a mark of 109, and middle-distance runner Tyler Hamblin, who was seventh in 9 minutes and 36.97 seconds.
While this was Cuplin’s first time competing at the state meet, it wasn’t her first time competing at the venue. She did that in March at the Texas Relays. Head coach Brenda Gonzalez and horizontal jumping coach Jamie Graham believe that experience helped her because she wasn’t overwhelmed with the atmosphere, size of the stadium, and the number of fans in the stands.
“She didn’t have her best long jump outing (at the Texas Relays), but she bounced back in the triple jump the next day,” Gonzalez said. “I believe that Texas Relays experience really prepared her for the state stage.”
CAPTION: Madison Cuplin shows great form in sticking the landing. Photo by Derek Gonzalez
The proof, she added, is in the numbers.
“She followed that (first jump at state) with a couple more 18-foot jumps,” the coach said. “The fact that she consistently hit the 18s this season shows tremendous growth and progress in her sophomore year — especially considering that last year she only had one 18-footer. This year, the only meet she didn’t jump 18 was at Texas Relays, and she even had a 19-foot jump at (the District 23 and 24-4A) area (meet). It’s just been a phenomenal long jump season for her, and to cap it off with a state medal is simply wonderful. I’m so proud of her.”
The athlete also competed in the triple jump where she finished fifth with a leap of 39-1.5 on her fifth attempt, one inch short of equally her personal best.
Gonzalez noted that Cuplin “put together a great series with several 38-foot jumps and a couple over 39” with her best coming on her second-to-last attempt.
“And she was actually a foot behind the board — so there’s still even more potential there,” she said. “She’s shown huge growth in the triple jump as well; last year, her best was 36-7, and this year she’s consistently been in the 38- and 39-foot range. Overall, I’m just super excited for Maddie. She had an outstanding sophomore season, finishing top five in the state in both her events and medaling in one. She’s a remarkable young lady with an incredible drive to keep improving.”
CAPTION: Kylie Roberts is the third generation in her family to throw at the state meet. Photo by Derek Gonzalez
In the discus, a new record was set by Monahans senior Valerie Hunt, who had a mark of 160-8, almost 30 feet longer than the silver medalist Shelby Lewis, a Beeville Jones senior.
Roberts advancing to state kept a family tradition going, one that started with her grandfather, Ralph “Danny” Roberts, and passed to her dad, Davy, and his brothers. Gonzalez called the moment the thrower stepped into the stadium special for the Roberts family and for the program.
“It was really special to see Kylie make it to state her senior year and compete on the biggest stage for high school athletes,” she said. “Knowing her family’s history and seeing her cement her place in that storybook was truly fun to witness. She’s a competitor who has worked hard for everything she’s achieved in her career as a Lady Mustang. She’s a great young woman and represented her family with pride. I’m so proud of her.”
Hamblin will graduate as a four-time state cross country qualifier and a two-time state track and field qualifier. He finished fourth overall at the 2024 Class 4A state cross country meet.
“He’s been an incredible young man to work with, and I feel blessed to have been part of his journey this year. He’s leaving behind a legacy that proves hard work and commitment pay off.”
In many ways, Hamblin is the ideal teammate, Gonzalez said. He shared his insight on courses, emphasized the importance of taking care of their bodies, and even told the other runners of sales on shoes and other equipment.
“His teammates admire and respect him, and he’s not only a great athlete but also a strong student who always encourages those around him,” she said. “He’s been such a fun kid to watch train and compete. I really hope he gets the opportunity to continue pursuing his dream of running at the college level.”
While the season has ended, Gonzalez believes the program has athletes who are capable of doing what these three accomplished.
“I just want to say how proud I am of all of our athletes,” she said. “Their dedication, hard work and resilience this season were incredible to witness. They’ve represented our program and community with pride, and it’s been a privilege to coach them. Overall, it was a great track season for both the boys’ and girls’ programs, and the coaching staff is really proud of all the kiddos. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for each of them.”
CAPTION: Marble Falls senior runner Tyler Hamblin (right) has represented the community at six different state meets in four years. Photo by Derek Gonzalez
